GENERATOR Rex
Inspired by a successful Danish TV show, the American murder mystery series “The Killing” dramatically follows the investigation of a horrific and puzzling crime. Like “Twin Peaks” and “Veronica Mars,” the show has a female victim whose demise brings attention to the various suspicious characters in her community.
The body of high school student Rosie Larson is found by homicide detective Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos), whose impending retirement is delayed by the new investigation. Linden is joined by rookie detective Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman), who helps sniff out clues and possible suspects. Emerging details point to different angles, painting Rosie as someone with more complicated secrets than the average teenager.
“The Killing,” set in Seattle, Washington, is unlike typical police procedural programs with cleanly solved crime mysteries of the week. The show takes its time, elaborating on that single case while also focusing on the detective protagonists’ lives.
Initially, it does a good job of creating a paranoid atmosphere. At times, it seems that certain suspects are definitely and inescapably guilty, only to be cleared by incontrovertible evidence. That becomes routine for a few episodes and the intertwined stories of the seemingly unrelated characters intrigues.
Frustratingly, the identity of the killer won’t be revealed until season two, according to reports. Despite a finale that doesn’t answer important questions, and actually inspires new and tougher ones, season one still has cohesive elements.
JOEL Kinnaman and Mireille Enos in “The Killing”
The moody visuals enthrall and the layered characters present interesting conundrums. There are outstanding performances by Enos, Kinnaman, Billy Campbell (as a beleaguered politician) and Michelle Forbes (as Rosie’s grieving mother), as well.
Its macabre mystery isn’t as oddly engrossing as the ones in the aforementioned shows, but the puzzle-solving still becomes involving whenever sad or sordid details are revealed.
“The Killing,” previously on Jack TV, now airs on Fox, Sundays at 9:50 p.m.
Lola Techie
GRETCHEN Malalad of “Patrol ng Pilipino”
On August 16, three “super” grandparents reveal their fountain of youth in a news documentary report by ABS-CBN’s “Patrol ng Pilipino” correspondent Gretchen Malalad.
At 67, Lola Techie of the famous TV commercials for an Internet service provider still finds time to play badminton despite her hectic schedule.
Lolo Luis, 62, attends taekwondo classes with his grandchildren. Oscar M. Lopez, chair of the Lopez Group of Companies and ABS-CBN chair Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III’s uncle, is also strong for his age of 81 years old.
Recently, Oscar climbed the summit of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia.
The show airs after “Bandila.”
‘Project Awesome’
Cartoon Network presents “Project Awesome,” featuring “Generator Rex” all-new episodes, a contest with a 3D TV as the grand prize, a school tour focused on Rex-cycling activities and online games.
The 15-year-old hero’s new adventures air on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. until Sept. 3, with Rex combating more challenging villains. Latest gadgets are at stake for kids who participate in the contest during program breaks via SMS or CartoonNetwork.com.ph.
A 10-school tour is highlighted by Rex recruiting kids to join in his mission of saving the world by eliminating waste with his very own version of the three “Rs” – Rex-duce, Rex-use, Rex-cycle.
Rex is also making his first appearance in Titanic Kungfubot Offensive (TKO), the arcade-like real-time multi-player game available on the network website.
Romance cut short
RAFFY Tan and Hazel Chua of “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition”
For almost three months, “Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” contestants Raffy Tan and Hazel Chua consoled and encouraged each other as they faced the physical and emotional challenges inside the camp.
But after Hazel was eliminated from the competition last August 9, they have to continue transforming their lives – separately.
The 22-year-old was voted out by majority of the remaining Bigating Pinoy including Angela, Art, Ryan and Larry. They said Hazel is more ready to go out of the camp than Winwin, who joined her in the elimination ceremony.
Hazel said she was confident that Raffy would prevail as the program’s first Biggest Loser. “I believe so much in Raffy and I know he’ll do everything to be the first winner of the ‘Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition,’” she said.
The remaining Bigating Pinoys are Raffy, Andy, Art, Angela, Larry, Leigh, Ryan and Winwin.
The show airs weeknights after “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” on ABS-CBN.
For updates, long on to https://biggestloserpinoyedition.abs-cbn.com,like https://www.facebook.com/abscbn.biggestloserpinoyedition on Facebook or follow @BLPinoyEdition on Twitter.
Responsible social media
GMA News and Public Affairs launches “Think Before You Click,” a campaign for responsible use of social media.
It aims to encourage Filipinos to be more mindful of what they post on social media networks, to think before they hit the enter key.
GMA News online editor-in-chief Howie Severino is among the media personalities involved in the campaign, which include Iza Calzado, Maxene Magalona, Efren Peñaflorida, Carlos Celdran, German Moreno, Moymoy Palaboy, Ramon Bautista and Gang Badoy.
For details, log on to https://www.gmanews.tv/story/226420/technology/think-before-you-click-use-social-media-responsibly.
‘Earth Run’
“Earth Run,” Solar Entertainment Network’s fun run, goes nationwide with three legs to be held in Metro Manila, Davao and Cebu, divided among the networks three banner channels – ETC, 2nd Avenue and Jack TV.
Greenpeace, an international environmental organization, is the fun run’s beneficiary for the third consecutive year.
Kicking off in Metro Manila, “2nd Avenue: Earth Run 2011” will be held at the Bonifacio Global City Grounds on August 28. Runners can choose from four different distances: 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K. All races have a registration fee of P600, except the 21K which is P650.
Registration for the Manila leg is ongoing until August 21 at R.O.X. at Bonifacio High Street and Chris Sports branches located at Glorietta 3, SM City North The Annex and SM Megamall. Online registration is available at Runner’s Runner (www.runnersrunner.com/earthrun2011), Ad Events (www.adevents.com.ph) and the official race Facebook page (www.facebook.com/earthrun2011ph).
“Jack TV: Earth Run 2011” in Davao happens on October 9 and “ETC: Earth Run 2011,” on December 11.